Factors that Perpetuate International Migration in Ethiopia: The Case of Angacha Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Nowadays, migration is a global phenomenon as interconnectedness among nations is increasing, especially among people of developing countries. Migrants are more connected to their origin than before. This opens a way for additional migration. Accordingly, this study had the objective of identifying the causes of migration by order of migrants and understanding how migration affects the conditions of sending community in migration decision making, taking the case of Angacha Woreda of Kembata Zone. To realize these objectives, data from migrants' households was collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews. The result revealed that the causes of migration depend on the order of migrants. The result from the analysis showed that for the first migrants, the push factors like poverty, shortage of land, and unemployment were the main causes of migration. In contrast, pull factors like the expectation of better life in the destination were the main causes as the order of migrants in the household increases. The result from the qualitative analysis showed migration through remittance has resulted in the perpetuation of migration as it resulted in inequality in income, housing, education, and an increase in land price. The result suggests interventions that are used to reduce migration, particularly irregular migration need to take into account factors that perpetuate migration. Also, the result further suggests the need for developing strategies that may use the remittance obtained into productive activities that can enhance employment opportunities in the migrant-sending community rather than perpetuating migration.